Metropolitan Onuphry Awards Defenders of Chernivtsi Cathedral
Clergy and parishioners honored for resisting June assault by OCU militants.
CHERNIVTSI — On July 12, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry awarded clergy and parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who suffered during the June 17 assault on the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi. The attackers, identified as militants of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), briefly seized the cathedral before being repelled by local faithful.
Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi presented the awards on behalf of Metropolitan Onuphry, including to priests Vitalii Honcharuk and Roman Forost, who were among those severely beaten during the attack.
“Chernivtsi has become a special place for the entire Orthodox world, where believers defended their sacred site,” Metropolitan Meletiy said, conveying Onuphry’s gratitude to all who participated in the defense.
The Primate emphasized that while it is difficult to recognize every individual defender, those most affected by the violence were specially honored with his blessing.
Previously, UOJ reported on a violent attack on the cathedral in Chernivtsi on June 17.
